MSP wants fines cash to stay in Scotland

SCOTLAND would have had an extra £113 million to spend on combating crime if all fines paid north of the Border since 2007 were kept here instead of being sent to the UK Treasury.

The SNP published figures showing a steadily growing amount of money being collected in fines in Scotland but sent to help fill UK Government coffers.

SNP MSP John Finnie, a former police officer and a member of the Scottish Parliament’s justice committee, said the cash should stay in the country to fund anti-crime initiatives.

He said: “These figures show the volume of money that is being taken out of Scotland every year.

“This money could have been ploughed back into Scotland’s communities, helping to tackle law-breaking by funding anti-crime initiatives.

“Under Treasury rules money raised from fines goes straight to the Treasury instead of staying here in Scotland.

“I am urging for cross-party support to get the UK Government to change this system so Scotland is armed with the tools it needs to clamp down on the scourge of crime.

“The SNP is urging the UK Government to allow fines to stay in Scotland. With crime at its lowest rate for 35 years this money would help continue our good progress.”